Bending the Third Rail
Because We Should, We Can, We Do
Friday, November 17, 2006
Compare and Contrast
Check this out:
USA Today leads with word that the war on terror, focused mainly in Afghanistan and Iraq, will likely cost more than the war in Vietnam, which would make it the most expensive conflict since World War II. Congress has already approved $70 billion for the 2007 fiscal year and the Pentagon is currently considering asking for anywhere from $127 billion to $160 billion more. So far, Congress has approved $502 billion for the war on terror. Notably, USAT reminds its readers that in 2003, the Bush administration estimated the Iraq war would cost $50 billion to $60 billion.
There's plenty to comment on in this story. But what I wanted to mention was the upcoming oversight hearings in Congress regarding the budget request. You can bet the Dems will essentially give Bush what he wants, after answering a whole bunch of questions about where the money goes. Also note the accelerating amount of money being requested, perhaps anticipating that it will get cut? Or maybe it's the funding for the emerging "plan" of one last push (see Friedman units). Either way, it's clear that we won't be leaving Iraq for some time.
Written at 1:37 PM by Greyhair.
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